Method and system for awarding points through a live event

ABSTRACT

A system includes a monitoring device in communication with a server. Accomplishments and associated awards are defined. A live event is monitored by the monitoring device. Optionally, the monitoring device cooperates with a manual or automatic scoring device and monitors the live event through the scoring. When an accomplishment is achieved, the associated award is issued.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No.13/595,899 which was filed on Aug. 27, 2012 and entitled “Method andSystem for Awarding Points Through a Live Event.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and systems for rewardingparticipants in a live event. More particularly, the present inventionis a method and system for awarding points through a live event separatefrom any score earned in the live event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Almost all sports include a scoring system to rank direct competitors.For example, the winner of a golf tournament is the player who completedthe course in the fewest strokes. Thus, a player with a score of 68places higher than a player with a score of 70.

Many sports also include a rating system to rank players' overallability. For example, the United States Tennis Association uses anumerical rating system of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and so forth up to 7.0,with new players having a rating of 1.5 and “world class” players havinga rating of 7.0. This allows players of varying abilities to competeagainst comparable players. Golf uses a handicap system which not onlyallows a general comparison between players' abilities but also can beused to “normalize” a score between players of differing abilities.

These rating systems have drawbacks. For example, the rating system usedin tennis is subjective. Although some leagues and tournaments requirethat a player be rated by a tennis pro, many players are self-rated.While golf handicaps are more objective in that they are derived from amathematical formula applied to a player's golf scores over a definedperiod, golf scores can be subject to manipulation since golf scoresoutside of competition are usually not verified.

A separate issue arises for players who typically do not participate incompetitions, such as tournaments or leagues. These players often reachsome achievement or accomplishment in the sport or game, but are notrewarded. For example, a player may hit a hole in one in golf, bowlthree consecutive strikes in bowling, or the like, but receive no rewardor even have the accomplishment enter into the rating system.

Customer reward systems have been developed in the retail context toreward customers based on economic activity, such as amount spent, milestraveled, nights stayed, or the like, with a retailer. Player rewardsystems have likewise been developed in the gaming industry to rewardcustomers based on action, such as amount wagered, amount of play,amount lost, or the like, at a casino. However, because these systemsare based on directly measurable economic activity, neither can betranslated to sports or other participatory events.

Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need in the art for a methodand system for awarding points through a live event separate from anyscore earned in the live event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method and system for use incombination with a live event that generates a score for a participant.A method includes defining at least one accomplishment in the live eventthat is associated with a point award. Optionally, an award table isdefined with numerous accomplishments correlated with point awards. Inan optional embodiment, the point awards are defined in a databasestored in a data storage device.

The live event is monitored for the accomplishment or accomplishmentsassociated with point awards. In an optional embodiment, the monitoringoccurs through an automatic scoring system. If an accomplishmentassociated with a point award is detected, a point award is issued tothe participant separate from any score earned from the accomplishment.That is, an accomplishment may be associated with both a point award anda score or scoring opportunity in the underlying game. Alternatively, anaccomplishment may be associated with a point award only.

In an optional embodiment, the points earned by a participant throughpoint awards are stored in a database on a data storage device. In anoptional embodiment, the points are stored in a record correlated to theparticipant or an identifier associated with the participant. In afurther optional embodiment, the points may be exchangeable for goodsand/or services.

The present invention also includes a system for awarding points to aparticipant in a live event separate from any score earned in the liveevent. In an optional embodiment, a monitoring device communicates witha server. The server optionally includes a data storage device thatstores a database of participants and point balances.

An award table containing at least one point award correlated to atleast one accomplishment is defined and stored. It is contemplated thatthe award table may be stored at the monitoring device, the server, orboth.

The monitoring device is adapted to monitor the live event foraccomplishments associated with point awards. In a further optionalembodiment, the monitoring device may additionally score a live event ormonitoring scoring for a live event. That is, the monitoring device mayalso perform scoring functions or may be integrated into a scoringsystem or scoring device. Upon occurrence of an accomplishment, a pointaward correlated to the accomplishment may be issued to the participantwho earned the accomplishment. This could occur by the monitoring devicecommunicating the accomplishment and/or the point award to the server,and the server updating the participant's point balance in a database.

In a further optional embodiment, a terminal may communicate with theserver to direct the exchange of points held by a player for goods orservices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred toby like numerals throughout. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the presentinvention includes a system for awarding points to a participant in alive event separate from any score earned in the live event. Althoughthe examples given below pertain primarily to bowling, this should beinterpreted as merely illustrative of the present invention since it iscontemplated that the present invention could be applied to any liveevent. The live event could take any form, such as sports, races,contests, competitions, or the like, in which a verifiable score isgenerated and conduct may be monitored as discussed in greater detailbelow.

In an optional embodiment, a system includes a server 100. The server100 may take any form, including a general purpose computer. In one suchoptional embodiment, the server includes or communicates with a datastorage device. The data storage device may take any form, includingflash memory, magnetic storage, optical storage, or the like. In anoptional embodiment, the data storage device stores a database ofparticipants and their point balances. In an optional embodiment, thedatabase may store additional information, such as personal information,contact information, event information, or the like for each participantand/or groups of participants. For example, in one such optionalembodiment, participants and/or groups of participants may set upaccounts that are stored in a database by inputting information on anelectronic form. The participant or group of participants may beassigned an identifier, such as a username, identification number, orthe like, that is correlated to the record stored in the database. In anoptional embodiment, a participant may log into the participant's recordthrough a monitoring device 102, automatic scoring system 104, terminal106, or mobile device 502 in communication with the server 100. Forexample, an automatic scoring system 104 may communicate with a server100 for the purpose of a frequent customer program (also known as acustomer loyalty or customer rewards program) so that the participant isrewarded when he or she logs into the program. In one such optionalembodiment, the participant's record may be correlated to theparticipant's program number, so that the participant is simultaneouslylogged into the participant's record when the participant logs into hisor her customer program.

The point balance for each player is a measure of the point awards(described in greater detail below) awarded to the player through asystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example,a point balance of 500 could reflect point awards of 25, 225, 10, 75,15, and 150 points. Although the term “points” is used in thisdescription, it is contemplated that the name used to describe theawards may vary within the scope of the present invention.

Regardless of the name used, the point awards are correlated toaccomplishments in the live event. Optionally, the point awards may varybased on the accomplishment. For example, larger point awards may becorrelated to accomplishments that are objectively more difficult toobtain or arise from rarer occurrences. It is contemplated that thepoint awards may be correlated to any measurable accomplishment. Forexample, in an optional embodiment directed to bowling, a point awardmay be associated with varying number of consecutive strikes with, forexample, a higher point award for five consecutive strikes than four orthree consecutive strikes. It is further contemplated that theaccomplishments may be skill-based, chance-based, and/or require acombination of skill and chance. Accomplishments may be attainable by asingle participant or require multiple participants acting incompetition or as a team. It is contemplated that the accomplishmentsmay include a mixture of skill-based, chance-based, combinationskill-based and chance-based, single participant, and/or multipleparticipant accomplishments.

In a further optional embodiment, point awards may vary depending onparticipant(s). For example, a higher point award may be associated withthe same accomplishment if the participant is a child than if theparticipant is an adult, e.g., a child bowling three consecutive strikesmay earn a larger point award than an adult bowling three consecutivestrikes. Similarly, point awards may vary based on the otherparticipants. For example, a point award may be associated with a bowlerwith a lower average defeating a bowler with a higher average, but nopoint award (or a smaller point award) may be associated with a bowlerwith a higher average defeating a bowler with a lower average. As may beappreciated, the size of point awards, the accomplishments associatedwith point awards, and the like may vary depending on the embodiment.

The point awards may be correlated with accomplishments on an awardtable. An award table may be stored at a server 100 or monitoring device102 or both, depending on the embodiment. The monitoring device 102 andits interrelationship with a server 100 are discussed in greater detailbelow. In any event, it is contemplated that either the monitoringdevice 102 or the server 100 or both may store an award table andutilize the award table in carrying out a method according to anembodiment of the present invention.

A monitoring device 102 communicates with a server 100. The monitoringdevice 102 may be remote from the server 100 and communicate with theserver 100 via a local area network, wide area network, virtual privatenetwork, the Internet, or the like. Moreover, it is contemplated thatthe monitoring device 102 may communicate directly with a server 100 orvia an intermediary, such as an intermediary server or the like. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a server 100 may communicate with multiplemonitoring devices 102. For example, a server 100 may be configured tocommunicate with multiple monitoring devices 102 in one or more bowlingalleys.

Monitoring devices 102 may take any form. In one optional embodiment, amonitoring device 102 may include an interface or other input devicethat receives data manually input by a participant, observer,scorekeeper, or the like. For example, a monitoring device 102 could bea scoring device, cellular telephone, tablet device, or other devicerunning a software application to receive manual input and communicatedata representing the manual input to a server 100. Alternatively oradditionally, a monitoring device 102 may automatically sense andtransmit data. For example, the monitoring device 102 may beincorporated into, or communicate with, an automatic scoring device 104,such as those used in bowling alleys, to automatically sense the conductof the live event and transmit data representing conduct of the liveevent to a server 100. Although FIG. 2 illustrates an automatic scoringdevice 104 as separate from a monitoring device 102, it is contemplatedthat an automatic scoring device 104 may be programmed to function as amonitoring device 102, thereby providing both functions in a singledevice.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in an optional embodiment, a system mayinclude a terminal 106 in communication with the server 100. In anoptional embodiment, a terminal 106 may serve to access the data in thedatabase. For example, a terminal 106 may include a personal computer,cellular telephone, tablet device, or the like which can be used toaccess a participant's record to view the point balance, change personalinformation or contact information, or otherwise maintain theparticipant's record. In a further optional embodiment, a terminal 106may be used to exchange points for goods and/or services. For example, aterminal 106 may be used to order products from a website and direct theexchange of points from the participant's account to pay for thoseproducts, obtain a discount, or the like. Similarly, a terminal 106 maytake the form of a point of sale terminal, cash register, or the likethat can debit points from a participant's point balance in exchange forgoods and/or services.

The present invention also includes a method for awarding points in alive event. As shown in FIG. 4, accomplishments and point awards aredefined 400. Optionally, these accomplishments and point awards arestored in a database at a server 100, a monitoring device 102, or both.A monitoring device 102 monitors 402 a live event for the occurrence ofan accomplishment. As noted above, the accomplishment may be the resultof the conduct of the live event and, as such, may be related to a scoreor scoring opportunity. In such an embodiment, the monitoring device 102may be combined with a manual or automatic scoring device and may detectthe accomplishment through the scoring. For example, in bowling, anaccomplishment may include bowling three consecutive strikes.

Referring to the example of bowling, accomplishments may take a varietyof forms. For example, accomplishments may relate to completing apredetermined quantity of games, a score (including individual gamescore, average score, running average, comparison between individualgame score and running average, or the like), quantity of games over adefined period of time, converting difficult scoring opportunities (suchas picking up spares), or the like. Table 1 provides an example of anaward table correlating accomplishments to point awards. Table 1 shouldbe interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting, as theaccomplishments and point awards may be changed, added to, deleted from,or otherwise altered in various optional embodiments.

TABLE 1 Point award Accomplishment Complete Game 10 Game Score vs.Average (all averages are average over last 20 games, if not 20 then100% of value under 20; Over 100 games, use last 30, over 500 games uselast 50) Bowl your average 0 Bowl 1-19 above average 10 Bowl 20-39 aboveaverage 20 Bowl 40-59 above average 40 Bowl 60-79 above average 60 Bowl80-99 -above average 80 Bowl 100+ above average 100 New High Score 20Clean Game 20 Over 200 20 Over 250 50 300 game 1000 Split Conversions7-10 split 1000 Split Conversion (difficulty level 7) 20 SplitConversion (difficulty level 8) 50 Split Conversion (difficulty level 9)100 Split Conversion (difficulty level 10) 1000

As may be appreciated, the gross size of the point awards may varydepending on the embodiment. For example, points awards may be scaled upor down, proportionally or non-proportionally, depending on the optionalembodiment.

In an optional embodiment, point awards may also be awarded as a bonusfor accomplishments accrued over one or multiple games. For example,Table 2 illustrates bonus that may be earned over one or more games.Still other accomplishments may be earned in comparison to otherparticipants, whether competing against the particular participantearning the accomplishment or other participants throughout the system.Again, Table 2 should be interpreted as illustrative rather thanlimiting as the accomplishments and point awards shown in Table 2 may bechanged, added to, deleted from, or otherwise altered in variousoptional embodiments.

TABLE 2 Accomplishment Point award 10 game bonus 10 50 game bonus 50 100game bonus 100 500 game bonus 200 1000 game bonus 300 Most games in aweek 200 Most games in a month 500 Most games in a year 1,000

It is noted that other accomplishments may likewise be defined. In anexample directed to bowling, certain accomplishments may be associatedwith “collecting” mini-accomplishments over one or more games. Oneexample may include bowling games in which specific scores are earned,such as games with scores of 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, and 300.As may be appreciated, such a “collection” would require completion ofat least eight different games. Another example may include collectingsplit conversions over one or more games, such as a 7-10 split, BabySplits, and Crazy Splits. As may be appreciated, accomplishments thatrequire collection of mini-accomplishments over multiple games may beopen-ended, i.e., an unlimited number of games to collect themini-accomplishments, or closed, i.e., a limited number of games tocollect the mini-accomplishments. For example, after converting a 7-10split, baby split, or crazy split, a participant may fulfill anaccomplishment and be awarded the associated point award if he or sheconverts the remaining two types of splits within the ensuing fivegames. Alternatively, such an accomplishment may effectively beopen-ended with no limit to converting the remaining two types of splitsto be awarded the associated point award. In yet another example, anaccomplishment may include achieving a certain strike percentage, suchas a strike percentage over 50%, over a defined quantity of games, suchas fifty games. It is contemplated that many other types ofaccomplishments may be defined.

In an additional or alternative optional embodiment, point awards may bedynamic in addition to, or rather than, static. For example, in one suchoptional embodiment, various factors could be included in an algorithmthat calculates a point award for various accomplishments. The factorscould include anything, including the age of the participant, the genderof the participant, the experience of the participant (which may bemeasured in frequency of participation, volume of participation, or anyother manner), skill of the participant (which may be measured byrunning average, handicap, rating, ranking, achievement ofaccomplishments according to the present invention, or any othermeasure), or the like.

It is contemplated that the accomplishments may be used to determine, orused as a factor in determining, a handicap or other rating forparticipants. For example, in an optional embodiment, factors such asthose described above may be compared against other participants and/oraverages of other participants (such as a national or regional average)to produce a rating or “handicap” for the participant.

In an optional embodiment, accomplishments may be earned by a teamand/or accomplishments earned by a team member may be shared withteammates. For example, in an optional embodiment, points may bedetermined for certain accomplishments based on a variety of factors,including one or more of the difficulty of the accomplishment, theaverage scores of all team members, the combined team average, theaverage age of team members, the total games logged as a team, the totalcombined games of each individual team member, or the like. As suggestedabove, accomplishments may be earned by a team as a whole (such asobtaining and maintaining a certain strike percentage as a team), earnedby individuals in the team (such as “collecting” converted spares), orany variation thereof.

If an accomplishment is achieved 404, a point award is issued 406 to theparticipant or participants eligible for a point award. For example, ifthe accomplishment is a team accomplishment, multiple participants mayreceive a point award. Conversely, if the accomplishment is anindividual accomplishment, only a single participant may receive a pointaward. The point award may be issued in any manner. For example, in oneoptional embodiment, a monitoring device 102 monitors the accomplishmentand transmits data to a server 100 informing the server 100 of theaccomplishment. The server 100 determines the point award, such asthrough an award table, and adds the point award to the point balancefor the eligible participant(s). In another optional embodiment, amonitoring device 102 monitors the accomplishment and determines thepoint award associated therewith, such as by using an award table. Themonitoring device 102 transmits data representing the point award andthe eligible participant(s) to the server 100, which adds the pointaward to the point balance for the eligible participant(s).

As previously noted, points may be exchangeable for goods and/orservices. In such an optional embodiment, a transaction may be conductedusing a terminal 106 to exchange points for goods and/or services. Thetransaction may be conducted via a network, such as the Internet, withthe goods and/or services ordered through a terminal 106. Alternativelyor additionally, a transaction may be conducted in a brick and mortarlocation, with the goods and/or services provided directly to theparticipant after deducting the points used in the exchange from thepoint balance.

In addition to using the points to acquire goods and/or services, thepoints may optionally be used to rate participants. This rating may beused to compare participants (such as a tournament), match participantsof similar rating, or the like.

In an optional embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a mobile device 502 maycommunicate with a data storage device, optionally at a server 100. Themobile device 502 may communicate with the server 100 in any fashion,including via a browser, a software application (or “app”), or the like.Similarly, the physical connection between the mobile device 502 and theserver 100 may take any form, including a wired or wireless network,broadband wireless, WiFi, or the like.

A mobile device 502 may be used in various features provided accordingto the present system including providing a means for viewing and/oralerting a participant to other participants logged in to a system. Forexample, upon logging in, a bowler may be presented with a list of otherbowlers who are currently participating in the system. The mobile device502 may be used to communicate with other participants who are loggedin, such as through a browser interface, app interface, or the like. Ina further optional embodiment, a participant may use a mobile device toissue challenges to other participants, either generally to activeparticipants or a subset thereof, or specifically to a participant orteam of participants. The challenges may be merely for fun or to earnachievements and receive point awards. It is also contemplated that thechallenge may be synchronous (i.e., each participant or team ofparticipants may complete the challenge more or less concurrently) orasynchronous (i.e., each participant or team of participants maycomplete the challenge separately). Such challenges could develop intoprivate tournaments, leagues, and challenges without regard togeographic limitations.

A mobile device 502 or other terminal 106 may also receive alerts fromsystem operators. Such alerts may be delivered via conventionalcommunications channels such as short message service (“SMS”) textmessages, email, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, alerts maybe “pushed” to users of a software app installed on the mobile device502 or terminal 106.

For example, in one optional embodiment, alerts may be provided upon theoccurrence of certain events. Thus, when a participant earns anachievement that results in a point award, the participant may receive amessage via mobile device 502 or terminal 106 of the point award. Suchan alert may take any form. For example, in one optional embodiment, thealert may congratulate the participant and notifying the participant ofthe point award. The alert may include a display of the award that maybe shown to a vendor of goods and/or services to exchange the pointsassociated with the point award for goods and/or services. For example,in an optional embodiment, the alert may include a code, bar code,confirmation number, quick recognition (“QR”) code, or the like that maybe printed or read directly from the mobile device 502 or terminal 106.In a further optional embodiment, an alert that an accomplishment hasbeen achieved may be accompanied by a bonus or instant reward. Forexample, in addition to the point award, a participant may be providedwith a coupon or other instant award in an alert.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed it is to be understood that the present invention is subjectto many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention presented herein.

I claim:
 1. A method for use in a live event that generates a score forone or more participants utilizing a monitoring device in communicationwith a data storage device, the method comprising the steps of: storingat said data storage device an award table correlating at least oneaccomplishment in said live event with an award; monitoring said liveevent by said monitoring device for said at least one accomplishment;tracking a score for at least one participant in said live event throughsaid monitoring device; issuing the award to the at least oneparticipant when the at least one accomplishment is detected, whereinsaid award is separate from, and independent of, the score earned fromsaid accomplishment; and storing said award at said data storage device.2. The method of claim 1 wherein said monitoring device includes anautomatic scoring system, the method further comprising: monitoring saidlive event by said monitoring device; and accruing the score by saidmonitoring device for the participant separate and independent of theaward, if any, earned by said participant.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising: transmitting said award to a device; and displayingsaid award on said device.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step ofstoring said award at said data storage device includes storing saidaward in a unique record for said at least one participant and saidmethod further comprises exchanging the award.
 5. A system for use in alive event that generates a score for one or more participantscomprising: a data storage device adapted to store an award tablecorrelating at least one accomplishment in said live event with anaward; and a monitoring device in communication with said data storagedevice, said monitoring device adapted to execute program instructionsto conduct the steps of: monitoring said live event by said monitoringdevice for an accomplishment associated with the award; tracking a scoreof at least one participant in said live event through said monitoringdevice; issuing the award to the at least one participant when theaccomplishment is detected, wherein said award is separate from, andindependent of, the score earned from said accomplishment; and storingsaid award at said data storage device.
 6. The system of claim 5 furthercomprising an automatic scoring system adapted to monitor said liveevent and accrue the score for the participant separate and independentof the award, if any, earned by said participant.
 7. The system of claim5 further comprising a device in communication with said data storagedevice, wherein said device is adapted to receive said award and displaysaid award on said device.
 8. The system of claim 5 further comprising aterminal in communication with said data storage device, wherein saidterminal is adapted to exchange the award.
 9. A system for use in a liveevent that generates a score for one or more participants comprising: aserver including a data storage device adapted to store an award tablecorrelating at least one accomplishment in said live event with anaward; and a monitoring device in communication with said server, saidmonitoring device adapted to execute program instructions to conduct thesteps of: monitoring said live event by said monitoring device for atleast one accomplishment associated with the award; tracking a score forof at least one participant in said live event through said monitoringdevice; transmitting to said server when the accomplishment is detectedto trigger said server to issue the award in response to saidaccomplishment, wherein said award is separate from, and independent of,the score earned from said accomplishment; and storing said award atsaid server.
 10. The system of claim 9 further comprising an automaticscoring system adapted to monitor said live event and accrue the scorefor the participant separate and independent of the award, if any,earned by said participant.
 11. The system of claim 9 further comprisinga device in communication with said server, wherein said device isadapted to receive said award and display said award on said device. 12.The system of claim 9 further comprising a terminal in communicationwith said server, wherein said terminal is adapted to exchange theaward.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the award is a monetary award.14. The method of claim 1, wherein the award is a point award.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the award is an accruable award based on theachieving multiple accomplishments.
 16. The method of claim 4, whereinexchanging the award includes exchanging the award for goods and/orservices.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the award is granted basedon a comparison of the score between the participant and anotherparticipant in the live event.
 18. The method of claim 1, whereinstoring said award at said data storage device includes associating theaward with a participant's program number in a personalized program. 19.The method of claim 1, further comprising: rating the participant basedat least in part on the accomplishment.
 20. The method of claim 1,further comprising: comparing the participant against other participantsin the live event based at least in part on the accomplishment; andmatching the participant with the other participants based on thecomparing.